Venetian blind



March 23, 1943. E, E. SCHAEFER 2,314,461

v VENETIAN BLND Filed July 17, 1942 Vnvnv nvm 55 INVENTOR.

29 EQQUWaLSc/zaez; BY

Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND Edward E. Schaefer, Oak Park, Ill.

Application July 17, 1942, Serial No. 451,299

8 Claims.

`tion on doors or windows, since the vertically extending lift cords extending through the slats :prevented lateral `removal of the slats. In such a cleaning operation it has been necessary, =be cause of the lack of provision of means facilitating ready removal of each individual slat, to assume an awkward .position on a stepladder or some makeshift means in proximity to the blinds and to support each slat during cleaning against breakage. Because of the tediousness of the work under such conditions and because of the danger of breakage of the individual slats, the .cleaning of the slats was most' often ineffectual or was accomplished only through relatively great inconvenience which resulted in fatigue to the cleaner.

Asa result of such recognized disadvantages, numerous attempts have been made to provide means by which the individual slats may be removed from fthe supporting tapes and the raising and lowering cords for cleaning and washing in a more convenient location and by which lthe cleaned slats may then be reassembled to oper-ative position.

However, these attempts have thus far proven ineffectual and unsuccessful, in that the means .provided were relatively complicated requiring the use of auxiliary tools and did not accomplish easy and ready removal and reassembly of the individual slats, or were relatively expensive adding to the total cost of the Venetian blinds, or were unsightly and detracted from the appearance of the blinds, or resulted in a bottom slat with projecting metal `parts making cleaning thereof difficult.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention to provide an improved detachable fastening and supporting means for lifting cords and tapes of Venetian blinds.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fastening and supporting means for lifting cords and tapes of Venetian :blinds which may be readily detached by hand without the use of auxiliary tools to facilitate removal of each individual slat for cleaning.

A further object of my invention is to provide a detachable fastening and supporting means for the ends of lifting cords and tapes of Venetian blinds which is simple in construction and operation, inexpensive in manufacture, and pleasing in appearance. i

A still further object of my invention is to provide a detachable fastening and slat supporting means which may :be sold as an individual unit and readily applied to the lifting cords of Venetian blinds already manufactured or in use with little or no modification of the existing structure of such blinds.

Still another object is to providea Venetian blind having aligned front and rear tilting tapes with the lower ends of the aligned tapesIL overlapping and secured to each other and a fastening and slat supporting means detachably secured to the end of the lifting cords and extending through said bottom slat and through the inner of said overlapping tape ends, whereby the tilting tapes are secured to said bottom slat against lateral movement relative thereto andthe tapes and the bottom slat are operably connected for tilting movement, and whereby said detacha-ble fastening means may be concealed between said overlapping tape ends.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent as this description proceeds, reference Ibeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a Venetian blind embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View of my im- -proved detachable cord fastening and slat supporting means taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of my improved detachable fastening means taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;-

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the detachable fastening means for lift cords with the washer element thereof in detached position from the vertical shank;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating a second embodiment of my invention.

The Venetian blind which is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing generally may be of conventional design and structure and comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed, thin slats I0 arranged one above the other and a relatively thick bottom bar or slat Il. The slats IIJ are supported adjacent their ends on horizontal cross tapes l2 which are secured between vertic/ally extending front and rear tilting tapes I3 and I4, respectively. The vertical tilting tapes I3 and I4 are secured at their upper ends to an upper rockable cross :bar or slat (not shown) and are vsecured at their lower ends to each other under the bottom bar I I as at I5 and I6, preferably by stitching, the lower end lportion of the rear tape I4 lying between the bottom bar I I and the lowerendportion of the front tape I3. The blind operating mechanism may be contained within a housing'or .valance I1 at the top of the blind.

, The slats IIJ are provided with transverse slots I8 adjacent each vertical tape I3 and I4 and the slat supporting cross tapes I2 are alternately staggered in relation to the vertical side edges of the tapes I3 and I4, thereby forming two vertical rows of cross tapes vwith a central vertical space therebetween in .alignment with the slots I8 and the slats IIJ. Extending downwardly from the housing I1 through the slat slots I8 and between the vertical rows of cross tapes I2 are two woven cords which continue downwardly through the bottom bar I I and on the lower ends of which are secured my improved detachable cord fastening and slat supporting devices. The cords 20 are adapted to be raised or lowered from the housing I1 so as to eect the desired vertical adjustment of the Venetian blind, the lower bar II being engaged by the improved detachable fastening means and Athe slats III being stacked on the top of the lower bar I I as the bar II is raised vertically. The upper ends of the cords 20 are joined together forming a loop 20a which may be pulled or released in making the vertical adv justment of the blind.

Specifically, my improved detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device comprises an elongated cylindrical member or shank 2l having different diameters toward its lower Aend forming a stepped construction. The shank 2| is provided with a central bore 22 at its upper end into which the lower end of the woven cord 2|] is fastened by a rivet pin 23 extending diametrically through vthe shank 2l at its upper end and through the cord 20. The shank 2| at its lower end has a supporting flange or shoulder 26, a longitudinally extending portion 24 of reduced diameter immediately above said flange 26, and a longitudinally extending portion 25 of still further reduced diameter immediately above said rst portion 24 of reduced diameter.

For detachable engagement with the shank 2I there is provided a flat circular washer 21 having a concentric circular aperture 28 at its central portion -and'a larger non-concentric opening-or aperture 2 9 between the concentric opening 28 and the circumferential edge of the washer 21,A the circular apertures 28 and 29 being slightly overlapping and opening into each other. The diameter ofthe smaller concentric aperture 28 is slightly greater than the shank portion 25 to permit vertical sliding movement of the shank portion 25 therethrough, and the diameter of the non-concentric opening or aperture 29 is slightly greater than the diameter of the supporting flangey 2B so as to permit insertion of the shank through the aperture 29. The size of the opening 3II-between the two circular apertures 28 and 29 is slightly greater than the diameter of the reduced shank portion 24 so as to permit radial movement of the shank 2I from the large non-concentric opening 29 to the smaller concentric opening 28 when the opening 30 and the shank portion 24 are in vertical alignment,

but is considerably less than the diameter of the shank portion 24 to prevent radial movement o the shank 2| when in vertical alignment with the portion 24.

With the above described fastening and supporting means, the Venetian blind may readily be assembled to operative position or disassembled for cleaning or painting. In assembling the blind, the slats I0 may rst be inserted one above the'other on their supporting cross tapes I2 and the bottom bar II may be placed within the slings or loops formed by the joining together of the vertical tapes I3 and I4, the slots I8 of the slats I0 being in alignment with holes or apertures 32 which extend vertically through the bottom bar I I and which are flared or funnelshaped at their lower ends. With the slats I0 and the bottom bar II in the foregoing position the cords 20 with the shank 2I secured thereto may be lowered or threaded downwardly through the slat slots I8 and through the opening 32 in the bottom bar II.` The weight of the Shanks 2l tends to keep the cords 20 lina straight vertical line as they arev lowered through the slat slots I8 and between the cross tapes I2 and the narrow relatively smooth and elongated lines of the shank 2l tends to prevent catching on the sides of the slots I8 or the tapes I4, thereby facilitating the threading operation. The cords 2U when in fully lowered or extended position are of such length that the lower end of the shank 2l projects a short distance below the bottom of the bar II and through a circular opening 33 of the rear vertical tape I4 dened by an annular eye piece 34.

With the shank 2l extending downwardly below the botom bar II and the rear vertical tape I4, the washer member 21 may be detachably se cured to the shank 2l by 'lrst raising the bottom bar II and the tape I4 to provide a slack in the cordI 20 and hence more working space forassembly of the parts, then moving the shank 2I and the washer 21 relatively toward each other so that the lower end of the shank 2I enters the large nonconcentric aperture 29 of the washer 21, this relative movement being continued Until the shank portion 25 of reduced minimum diameter is within the aperture 29. At this point the shank 2I may be moved radially so that the reduced shank portion 25 passes through the opening 30 into the smaller concentric aperture 28, after which the shank 2I may be raised, causing the shank portion 24 to pass relatively upwardly through the aperture 28 until the undersurface of the washer 21 is engaged by the flange 26 'to support the washer 21 thereon. The bottom bar II may then be released to extended position in which position the bar II will be supported by the washer 21 with the vertical tape I4 therebetween. In this position the lower end of the front tape- I3 serves to cover the washer 21 and .thfllged end 26 of the shank 2|, which -`elements are disposed in substantitlly flat position against the undersurface of the bar II with the eye piece 34 partially received within the flared opening 32 of the bottom bar II, causing only a slight but not unsightly bulge.

Thus, without the aid of auxiliary tools and by using only the fingers, the detachable supporting fastener may be secured to the end of the shank 2I in supporting position in engagement with the lower bar II and the cord 20 may be raised or lowered to effect the raising or lowering of the blind. The construction of the detachable fastening means is such that it is adapted to remain engaged in locked operable position against inadvertent release under all conditions and all movements occurring during usage. Also, because of the manner in which the aligned front and rear tilting tapes are overlappingly secured at their lower ends with the shank 2I extending through but one of the tape ends and with the flat washer 2'I disposed between the tape ends, the detachable fastening means is concealed from view when in operable position and serves, in addition to its slat supporting function, to secure the tilting tapes I3 and I4 to the bottom slat II against lateral movement and to operably connect the tapes and the bottom slat for tilting movement. Thus, the tapes I3 and I4 may be detachably secured to the bottom slat- II without the use of nails, screws, clips and the like which ordinarily arel necessary and project from the bottom slat. With the present invention the bottom Slat II is of smooth construction without any projecting metal parts and is thus capable of being readily cleaned.

When it is desired to remove the slats I and the bott-om bar II for cleaning, the washer 2l may be quickly removed without employing auxiliary tools by merely reversing the above described method of assembly. The bottom end of the tape I3 may be pushed aside to uncover the fastening means and the shank 2| may then be moved relatively downwardly by hand until the reduced portion 25 registers with the washer opening 3|] through which it may be radially moved to the larger nonconcentric opening 29 through which the entire shank 2| may be removed by upward verticalmovement. The cords 20 may then be pulled upwardly through the hole 32 in the bottom bar |I and through the slot I8 of the slats I0 which enables the slats I0 and the bottom bar I I to be removed laterally for cleaning in a more convenient location.

' In Fig. 6 there is shown a modified form of my invention. This second embodiment comprises a shank 5|! having a central bore 5| at its upper end, into which the lower end of the cord 20 is secured by means of a rivet pin 52 in a manner similar to that shown in the embodiment of Figs. l to 5, inclusive. The lower end of the shank 50 is slightly tapered to facilitate the threading of the lower end of the shank through the slat slots I8 and through the opening 32 in the bottom bar I I, and it is provided with a central threaded bore 53 into which is received a threaded stem 54 having a large and substantially flat integral head 55. The head 55 serves the same purpose as the washer 2`| in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, in that it is adapted to engage the vertical tape I4 and the bottom bar I I when the cords 20 are raised t0 the desired vertical adjustment. One of the advantages of both embodiments of my invention above described is that they are applicable to many of the Venetian blinds of the chmacter described and now on the market or in actual use and may be aiiixed thereto with little modification of the existing structures. The shanks 2| may be readily applied to the raising and lowering cords of the existing equipment merely by unknotting the ends of the cords and cutting off the frayed tips thereof, inserting the cords thereof into the upper bore of the shank 2| and `then inserting the rivet pin 23 through the cords so as to secure the same in place.

Although two embodiments of my invention have been illustrated in the drawing and above described, it is to be understood that variations and modications may be resorted to Without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a Venetian blind, a, detachable cord f astening and slat supporting device comprising an elongated shank member having a bore at its upper end adapted to receive the lower end of a raising and lowering cord, a fastening pin extending substantially diametrically through said shank and through said cord adjacent the upper end of said shank for permanentlyD securing said shank to said cord, and a substantially fiat slat supporting member adapted to be detachably secured to the lower end of ,said shank and to engage theunder face of the bottom slat to support said slat when said cord is raised or lowered.

2. A detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device adapted to be operably secured to the lower end of a lraising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind comprising an elongated shank member adapted to be secured at its upper end to the lower end of the cord and having a supporting flange at its lower end, a longitudinally extending portion of reduced dimension immeflat bottom slat supporting member adapted to diately above said flange and a second longitudinally extending portion of still further reduced dimension immediately above said first portion of reduced dimension, and a substantially be detachably secured to said shank and having an aperture at substantially its center of slightly greater dimension thanthe dimension of said first reduced portion of said shank but of lesser :i5 dimension than the dimension of said shank flange and a larger aperture intermediate said first aperture and the outer'edge of said flat slat supporting member having a dimension slightly larger than the supporting flange of said shank to permit movement of the lower end of the shank therethrough, said apertures being connected by an opening of a dimension slightly larger than the dimension of said second reduced portion `of said shank to permit movement of said shank from the larger aperture to said smaller aperture whereby said slat supporting member may be moved to and supported in operable position by the flange of said shank.

3. A detachable cord.fastening and'slat supporting device adapted to be operably secured to the lower end oi a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind comprising an elongated cylindrical shank member adapted to be secured at its upper end to the lower end of the cord and having an annular supporting flange at its lower end, a longitudinally extending portion of reduced diameter immediately above said flange and a second longitudinally extending portion of still further reduced diameter immediately above said first portion of reduced diameter, and a substantially fiat bottom slat supporting member adapted to be detachably secured to said shank and having a circular aperture at substantially its center of slightlygreater diameter than the diameter of said first reduced portion of said shank but of lesser diameter than the diameter of said annular shank flange and a larger circular aperture intermediate said first aperture and the outer edge of said flat slat supporting member having a diameter slightly larger than the supporting flange of said shank to permit movement of the lower end of the shank therethrough, said apertures being connected by an opening of a dimension slightly larger than the diameter of said second reduced portion of said shank to permit movement of said shank from the larger aperture to said smaller aperture, whereby said slat circular supporting member may be moved to and Supported in operable position by the flange of said shank.

4. A detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device adapted to be operably secured to the lower end of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind comprising an elongated cylindrical shank member having a bore at its upper end adapted to receive the lower end of the cord, a fastening pin extending substantially diametrically through said shank and through said cord adjacent the upper end of said shank, an annular supporting ange at 'its lower end, a

x longitudinally extending portion of reduced diameter immediately above said flange and a second longitudinally extending portion of still further reduced diameter immediately above said frst\portion of reduced diameter, and a substantielly at bottom slat supporting member adaptedto be detachably secured to said shank and havinga circular aperture at substantially its center of slightly greater diameter than the diameter o f said first reduced portion of said shank but, of lesser diameter than the diameter of said shank flange and a larger circular aperture intermediate said first aperture and the outer edge of said flat slat supporting member having a diameter slightly larger than the supporting ange of said shank to permit movement of the lower end of the shank therethrough, said apertures being connected by an opening of a dimension slightly larger than the diameter of said second reduced portion of said shank to.

permit movement of said shank from the larger aperture to said smallei` aperture whereby said slat supporting member may be moved to and supported in operable position by the flange of said shank.

5. A detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device adapted to be operably secured to the lower` and of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind comprising an elongated shank member adapted to be secured at its upper end to the lower end of the cord and having a threaded bore at its lower end, and a bottom slat supporting member adapted to be detachably secured to the lower end of said shank and comprising a substantially flat head adapted to engage the under surface of the bottom slat and an upwardly extending threaded stem integrally connected to said head adapted to be threadedly received and supported within the threaded bore of said shank.

6. A detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device adapted to be operably secured to the lower end o`f a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind comprising an elongated shank member having a bore at its upper end adapted to receive the lower end of the cord, a fastening pin extending through said shank l and through said cord adjacent the upper end of said shank anda threaded bore at its lower end, and a bottom slat supporting member adapted to be detachably secured to the lower end of said shank and comprising a substantially flathead adapted to engage the under surface of the bottom slat and an upwardly extending threaded stem integrally connected to said head adapted to be threadedly received and supported within the threaded bore of said shank.

7. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of horizontally disposed slats arranged one above the other and having a plurality of aligned apertures therein, a plurality of tilting tapes secured to the upper of said slats and extendingvertically downwardly in alignment with the apertures of said slats and forwardly thereof to and under the bottom slat thereof, a plurality of tilting tapes also secured to the upper of said slats and extending vertically downwardly rearwardly of said slats and in alignment with said forward tapes, said aligned frontand rear tapes being secured to each other at their` lower ends with said lower ends overlapping under said bottom slat and the lower tape end extending between said bottom slat and. the other said lower tape end being provided with an aperture in alignment with the apertures in fsaid bottom slat, a plurality of lowering and raising cords extending downwardly between said front and rear tapes from the upper portion of said blind through the apertures in said slats, and a detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device for each lowering and raising cord .comprising an elongated shank member adapted to be permanently secured at its upper end to the lower endv of said cord and extending downwardly through the apertures in said bottom slat and through said tape end aperture and a substantially fiat bottom slat supporting member detachably secured to the lower end of said shank and being concealed between the overlapping ends of said front and rear tapes for supporting said bottom slat when said cord is raised or lowered, said detachable slat supporting means being adapted to secure said aligned front and rear tilting tapes to said bottom slat against lateral movement relative thereto and to operably connect said aligned tapes to said bottom slat for tilting movement thereof.

8. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of horizontally disposed slats arranged one above the other and having a. plurality of aligned apertures therein, a plurality of tilting tapes secured to the upper of said slats and extending vertically downwardly in alignment with the apertures of said slats and forwardly thereof to and under the bottom slat thereof, a plurality of tilting tapes also secured to the uppei` of said slats and extending vertically downwardlv rearwardly of said slats and in alignment with said forward tapes, said aligned front and rear tapes being secured to each other at their lower ends with said lower ends overlapping under vsaid bottom slat and the lower tape end extending between said bottom slat and the other said lower tape end being provided with an aperture in alignment with the apertures in said bottom slat, a plurality of lowering and raising cords extending downwardly between said front and rear tapes from the upper portion of said blind through the apertures in said slats, and a detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device secured on the lower lend of each raising and lowering cord and extending downwardly through the aperture in said bottom slat and through said tape end aperture, whereby said aligned front and rear tilting tapes are secured to said bottom slat against lateral movement relative thereto and are operably connected to said bottom slat for effecting tilting movement thereof and whereby the lower end of said detachable cord fastening and slat supporting device is concealed between the overlapping ends of said tapes.

EDWARD E. SCHAEFER. 

